The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike during its monthly congress held at the union’s secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The congress, which had over 300 members in attendance, was largely peaceful until the session on the state of the union and nation, when it was brought to the attention of members that a former chairman of the council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, allegedly hacked into the council’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts. According to reports, Ogbeche altered the account names from ‘NUJ FCT Council’ to ‘Nigeria Media Group’ and changed the union’s logo.
In a swift response, members of the congress condemned Ogbeche’s actions in strong terms, accusing him of impersonation and destabilisation.
They also noted that neither Ogbeche nor his successor, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, had accounted for the audited statements of their respective administrations.
The congress mandated the Grace Ike-led State Working Committee to immediately report the matter to the police for investigation in line with the Cybercrime Act of 2024 as amended, while warning Ogbeche and others to steer clear of the council’s affairs.
The congress also deliberated on allegations against some members accused of undermining the union’s leadership.
A member, Comrade Osisam Ede, reported that he was physically assaulted by Comrade Emeka Nze of Blueprint Newspaper, who allegedly vowed to disrupt the union’s activities.
Another member disclosed that a group, including Comrade Johnchuks Onuahim, was plotting to tarnish the image of the union.
While many members called for the immediate suspension of those involved, the union’s legal adviser reminded the house of the NUJ Constitution’s provision for fair hearing. Consequently, the accused members were referred to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for investigation and appropriate recommendations.
On the performance of the present executive council, the congress unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Comrade Grace Ike’s leadership, praising her efforts to foster inclusivity and unity within the council. Members expressed optimism that she would continue to lead effectively if given the freedom to focus on her duties.
Meanwhile, the congress was notified about a planned protest by over 40,000 workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) slated for June 30 to July 2, 2025.
The NUJ appealed to the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing him as a media-friendly leader, and urged him to address the grievances of the protesting workers.
The communique was signed by Comrades Emmanuel Tortiv, Benjamin Edeaghe, and Odita Sunday on behalf of the Communique Drafting Committee.
Full Communique Reads:
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike during its monthly congress held at the union’s secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The congress, which had over 300 members in attendance, was largely peaceful until the session on the state of the union and nation, when it was brought to the attention of members that a former chairman of the council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, allegedly hacked into the council’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts.
According to reports, Ogbeche altered the account names from ‘NUJ FCT Council’ to ‘Nigeria Media Group’ and changed the union’s logo.
In a swift response, members of the congress condemned Ogbeche’s actions in strong terms, accusing him of impersonation and destabilisation.
They also noted that neither Ogbeche nor his successor, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, had accounted for the audited statements of their respective administrations.
The congress mandated the Grace Ike-led State Working Committee to immediately report the matter to the police for investigation in line with the Cybercrime Act of 2024 as amended, while warning Ogbeche and others to steer clear of the council’s affairs.
The congress also deliberated on allegations against some members accused of undermining the union’s leadership.
A member, Comrade Osisam Ede, reported that he was physically assaulted by Comrade Emeka Nze of Blueprint Newspaper, who allegedly vowed to disrupt the union’s activities.
Another member disclosed that a group, including Comrade Johnchuks Onuahim, was plotting to tarnish the image of the union.
While many members called for the immediate suspension of those involved, the union’s legal adviser reminded the house of the NUJ Constitution’s provision for fair hearing. Consequently, the accused members were referred to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for investigation and appropriate recommendations.
On the performance of the present executive council, the congress unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Comrade Grace Ike’s leadership, praising her efforts to foster inclusivity and unity within the council. Members expressed optimism that she would continue to lead effectively if given the freedom to focus on her duties.
Meanwhile, the congress was notified about a planned protest by over 40,000 workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) slated for June 30 to July 2, 2025.
The NUJ appealed to the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, describing him as a media-friendly leader, and urged him to address the grievances of the protesting workers.
The communique was signed by Comrades Emmanuel Tortiv, Benjamin Edeaghe, and Odita Sunday on behalf of the Communique Drafting Committee.
Full Communique Reads:
1. The Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council held its Monthly General Congress on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at their Headquarters in Utako, Abuja.In attendance at the Meeting were more than 450 Members of the Union.
The atmosphere at the Meeting was calm and relaxed, all through the Course of the Congress, until during the State of the Union/Nation when the attention of the Union was drawn to an affront on the Union’s Social Media Handles by a past Chairman of the FCT Council, who was said to have hacked into its Facebook and Twitter Handles and altered the name from ‘NUJ FCT Council’ to ‘Nigeria Media Group’ as well as the Union’s Logo. Attached Below is evidence of his usual act of impersonation.
2. In response, Members, in adopting a motion on the floor of the Congress, condemned in the strongest language possible the wilful and destructive actions of the former Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, whose administration they noted was yet to account for his audited statements of Affairs during his time in Office and that of his protege, Comr. Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen who succeeded him from 2023- 2024.
While warning Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, the former Chairman of Council, to desist from inviting the Union into a needless conflict that may never end in his favour, the Union instructed the State Working Committee under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike to immediately refer the matter to the Police for investigation in line with the the Cyber Crime Act of 2024 as Amended.
The Congress called on Emmanuel Ogbeche and all those who are bent on derailing the current administration of the Union to stay off. Council said they will not be deterred no matter how hard they try.
3. The Union was adequately briefed on clandestine and surreptitious moves by some disgruntled members led by Comrade Emeka Nze of the Blueprint Newspaper and JohnChuks Onuahim. A member, Comrade Osisam Ede of Correspondents Chapel drew the attention of the Union to a wound inflicted on his mouth by Comrade Emeka Nzeh who also sent him the message that they are coming for a takeover of the Union. In the same vein, another member called the attention of the Union to plans by the disgruntled members who have vowed to do everything possible under the sun to drag the name of the Union into the mud.
4. In response, members while overwhelmingly calling for the suspension of all the recalcitrant members of the Union also heeded the legal counsel of the Counsel’s Legal Advicer that such action should follow the Constitutional path which gives all the accused persons the right to be heard under the NUJ Constitution. Consequently, the Union referred Comrades Emeka Nze, Johnchuks along with their cohorts to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for quick investigations and Recommendations to the Congress for final decisions and implementations regarding their fate.
5. On the performance of the present Executive of the Union as currently constituted, the Congress unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Grace Ike led Executive Council. Many members present expressed their confidence in her abilities to give a sense of belonging to them while hoping that she will be allowed by her detractors to focus on good governance of the Union for the greater success of all.
6. Planned Protest at the FCTA Gate: The Union’s attention was drawn to a planned protest by about 40,000 workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as well as the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The protest is scheduled for Mon June 30 to Wed July 2, 2025. Members of the Union in FCTA and FCDA Chapels will be affected by the protest.
In response, the Union which commended the Hon. Minister of FCT, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON (Mr. Projects) also appealed to him to hearken to the demands of the workers describing the minister of FCT as a man of the people and friend of the media.